Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the Democratic Unionist Party has said “victims must always have the best opportunity for justice”.

It comes after Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stepped down as DUP leader on Friday as he faces charges over alleged historical sexual offences.

Ms Little-Pengelly said she was “shocked and devastated by this news”.

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Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly. Pic: PA

She added: “Victims must always have the best opportunity for justice. This must be fully respected and supported.

“My thoughts are with those suffering who have put their faith in the criminal justice system.

“Protecting the integrity of that process necessitates significant restrictions on what can be said. I have faith in our justice system.”

Ms Little-Pengelly went on to say that she was “determined” to work with the interim party leader Gavin Robinson to “provide stability” and continue “tackling the big issues faced by Northern Ireland”.

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It is understood Donaldson will be “strenuously contesting” all charges against him.

The 61-year-old has led the party since 2021 and has been the MP for Lagan Valley since 1997.

He will appear in court in Newry, Co Down, on 24 April.

A 57-year-old woman has been charged with aiding and abetting offences in relation to the same police investigation.

Donaldson has been suspended by the party but it is understood he remains an MP.

Read more: Who is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?

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‘It’s been a devastating revelation,’ Gavin Robinson says

Mr Robinson, who was deputy leader, has been appointed the DUP’s interim leader.

The party has been plunged into “turmoil” by Donaldson’s shock resignation, veteran DUP MP Sammy Wilson said, adding that the party was “gobsmacked” by what had happened.

“We were all shocked, this just came totally out of the blue,” he told Cool FM news.

“We found out about it, I think, just the night before. We called a meeting then first thing in the morning and all of us were kind of gobsmacked that this had happened because there was absolutely no indication that there was anything of this nature about to break.”

He added: “Any party which is hit with this kind of shock is bound to be in turmoil.”